The Aberdeen Cougars made the most of their chances, but it wasn’t enough to knock off Sioux Falls in girls’ hockey action Saturday afternoon at the Odde Ice Center.

The contest was tied 2-2 early in the third period before the Flyers scored back-to-back goals within 71 seconds to take control in a 4-2 victory.

“Proud of the girls today,” said Cougars coach Amy Munsterman-Wills. “They came out with high intensity and competed every shift for three periods.”

The Cougars battled Sioux Falls and hung in the game despite being outshot by a whopping 56-9 margin.

“Sioux Falls is a team that constantly moves their feet and moves the puck,” Munsterman-Wills said, “and I thought our girls did a great job defensively against that.”

The Flyers scored the only goal in the opening period. The Cougars responded in the second period when Rachel Siefken scored on an assist from Addyson Keller.

Sioux Falls jumped back in front before the end of the period, before Siefken again tied the game with a goal early in the third. That’s when the Flyers produced the two quick goals for the final margin of difference.

Aberdeen produced two goals on just nine shots.

The Cougars stayed in the game thanks to the goaltending of Chloe Vikander, who stopped a career-best 52 shots on the day.

“Chloe had a phenomenal game and kept us in it,” Munsterman-Wills said, “and Rachel’s goals gave us momentum.”

While not into moral victories, the Cougars proved that they can play with the elite teams in the state following the setback to Sioux Falls, which owns the second best record in the league.

“This group showed that no matter the seed, we can compete,” Munsterman-Wills said, “and come state, it’s anyone’s game.”

The Cougars will play for the third time in three days when they host Watertown at 3 this afternoon at the Odde Ice Center.

Sioux Falls Flyers 1 1 2 – 4

Aberdeen Cougars 0 1 1 – 2

First Period: 1, SF, Aniston Murray (Emma Honner), 10:23.

Second Period: 2, AC, Rachel Siefken (Addyson Keller), 6:55; 3, SF, Lucy Nelson, SF, (Raegan Pfeifer, Isabella Rigolizzo), 6:19.

Third Period: 4 AC, Siefken (Calley Gage), 13:53; 5, SF, Honner (unassisted), 12:10; 6, SF, Scarlett Black (Pfeifer), 10:59.
Shots on Goal: Sioux Falls Flyers 56; Aberdeen Cougars 9.

Goalies: Sioux Falls Flyers, Moriah Lincoln (7 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (52 saves).